From the Editor

JULY 2021 • VOLUME 16, ISSUE 7

PUBLISHER Steve Jameson

EDITOR Joe Spear

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Diana Rojo-Garcia

COPY EDITOR Kathy Vos

CONTRIBUTORS Bert Mattson Dan Greenwood Jean Lundquist Kat Baumann Leticia Gonzalez Ann Rosenquist Fee Pete Steiner Nell Musolf

PHOTOGRAPHER Pat Christman

PAGE DESIGNER Christina Sankey

ADVERTISING SALES Danny Creel Jordan Greer-Friesz Josh Zimmerman Theresa Haefner Tim Keech

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Barb Wass

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Christina Sankey

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Justin Niles

Mankato Magazine is published by The Free Press Media monthly at 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001.

To subscribe, call 1-800-657-4662 or 507-625-4451. $35.40 for 12 issues.

For all editorial inquiries, call Diana Rojo-Garcia 507-344-6305, or email drojogarcia@mankatofreepress.com.

For advertising, call 344-6364, or e-mail advertising@mankatofreepress.com.

By Diana Rojo-Garcia

Mankato’s GOATS

Afresh breath of air after 16 months of pandemic can finally occur for many of us during these summer months.

Festivals, fairs and concerts announce dates. Restaurants and bars fill with patrons. Smiles, which were hidden behind masked faces, light up the stores and sidewalks.

Normalcy.

Throughout the pandemic, the community brought out the best in most of us. It demanded creativity and ingenuity for businesses and individuals alike; it meant innovation and perseverance to keep afloat whether personally or professionally. Empathy and understanding became more common.

And that’s a new normal I can stand by. As we venture into new routines, it’s important to acknowledge those who went above and beyond to continue doing great things in our community. Front-line essential workers, we salute you. You’re truly the essence of being the GOAT.

We wouldn’t be anywhere without our medical professionals taking on the COVID crisis, guiding us through each and every step; taking care of our families while also tending to their own; educating themselves and others to keep our communities safe.

Everyone who worked in customer service, retail and hospitality — you kept us going. Stocking shelves, greeting us with eye smiles, helping in any way possible from bagging our groceries and preparing our dinners for takeout.

Business owners, you adapted to keep providing the services we depended on.

Those in the education system and in nonprofits, our bus drivers and truck drivers, veterinarians, automobile technicians, bankers and more — the community simply couldn’t have made it without you.

With this year’s Best of issue — the most popular issue — our readers took to the polls a few months back to nominate individuals and businesses to recognize some of these outstanding people. And we’re proud to announce those winners in each category — a glimpse of the last 12 months — in this year’s issue.

Despite the rough year of uncertainties, trepidation and Zoom exhaustion, I think everyone in Mankato attests to one thing: This community within itself is truly the Best of Mankato 2021.

Also in this issue: ■ Weather’s getting nicer and we all want to just get out of our sofa nests. Head over to this month’s Day Trip. Writer

Nell Musolf guides us through a fun-filled day in La Crosse,

Wisconsin.

■ Rollin’ on. Meet the artist, Lisa

Petersen, who just happens to be a tattoo artist too and has a rolling tattoo parlor in Avant

Guardians.

■ Check out Familiar Faces and meet one of the staffers behind KEYC’s weather, Tom

Clements (did you know his first love was opera?).

■ And the Steinie goes to …

Drumroll please … Flip to the end of this issue for Pete

Steiner’s legendary Steinies.

Diana Rojo-Garcia is associate editor of Mankato Magazine. Contact her at drojogarcia@ mankatofreepress.com

GREENER DAYS AHEAD

Great golf happens on great courses. And courses don’t get better than the ones on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. With 11 locations, 26 courses and more than 400 championship holes, the toughest challenge may be deciding which one to play first. Our golf courses and staff are ready to welcome you back to the legendary RTJ Golf Trail. Summer and fall golf packages available. We are open and will be here waiting for you. Visit rtjgolf.com.